The Lutheran Spokesman (September 1995)
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* L u t h e r a n *
* S P O K E S M A N *
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* September 1995 *
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The Sacraments
In this issue
Your Baptism -- God's Grace Personalized
Groans to Glory
Working For A Living
Little House On The Move
Seasoned Veterans Of The Cross
The Post-Retirement Years -- What Preaching!
A Truly Anonymous Army
The Radichel Family Reunion
Two Faith Churches Welcome New Pastor
Meet: Deborah Johannes
VBS: St. Matthew Ev. Luth. Church, Dallas, TX
Announcements
For Circulation and Subscription Information, click here.
Your Baptism -- God's Grace Personalized
There are many benefits we enjoy from living in an era of advanced
technology. One of the unfortunate side effects, however, is that our
world seems to be getting more and more impersonal. The family doctor
who made house calls has been supplanted by the Health Maintenance
Organization, which has been likened to a medical assembly line. The
Automated Teller Machine has taken the place of the friendly banker.
Every other day, it seems, there is a letter in the mailbox with your
name printed all over it -- but it's obviously just a computer-
generated attempt at a personal touch.
Aren't we all much happier with a warm smile and a friendly handshake
instead of an automated, pre-printed "Have a nice day?" Our Lord
understands this human need that we have of individual personal
attention. We are blessed to know that our Lord God has made a way for
us to receive, not only the promise of His grace for all, but also a
touch of personalized grace from Him, in baptism.
Solid Assurance
There are many passages of Scripture that assure us that, since God's
grace and love in Christ are extended to all people, we can also
consider ourselves to be objects of His love. John's gospel tells us
"God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son ..."
This gives us a solid assurance that, since God's love extends to all,
it also extends to us.
It is true, however, that the Bible does not specifically say that God
so loved Robert, God so loved Mary, God so loved (your name) that He
gave His only-begotten Son. But in your baptism the Lord says just
that! The Bible says that baptism saves us, because it is a blessed
way that the Holy Spirit brings the Savior to the individual heart.
We do not believe in baptism for its own sake; instead, we treasure it
because the forgiveness that Christ earned for us on the cross is
brought to us -- personally -- in the water with the Word. No matter
what kind of open or secret sins may lurk in our past, each of us is
assured that if we have been baptized into Christ, then we have
clothed ourselves with Him (Gal. 3:27).
Luther writes: "Tell me, with whom does God speak and deal when you
are baptized? Is it not true that this Baptism is intended for you
alone and for no other person? . . . This is the promise God gives in
Baptism: 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved' (Mk.
16:16). Again, you are baptized into the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3),
into the truth that He died for you and by His death freed you from
sins and death. How, then, could God speak in a friendlier way with
you and more surely and specifically include your person in the Word
than He does in Baptism?" (What Luther Says, Vol. I, p. 47).
A Generous King!
The story is told of a conquering king who was leading a victory
parade thriough the capital. As his carriage rolled along the parade
route, his servants threw gold coins -- the spoils of his victory --
to the crowd. The happy citizens reached out their hands to catch the
coins. All except for one, that is. This man, who did not feel that he
had been a loyal supporter of the king, stood away from the crowd and
hung his head. "Surely the king did not intend this gift for me," he
thought. But the king, taking special note of him, sent one of his
servants directly to the man. The servant pressed a coin into the
surprised man's hand and said, "The king wants you to know that he
intended this gift especially for you."
Whenever you hear and believe the blessed news of God's grace for all,
you are like one of the citizens who gladly reach out for the king's
generosity. But when your heart is weighed down because of your sin
and guilt, and you feel as though you have abandoned the Lord and are
not worthy of Him -- that is the time to remember the grace that our
Lord has impressed upon you individually, in your baptism. When your
conscience accuses you, Satan would try to lead you to doubt whether
the Lord really wants you as his own. At such a time you can give the
devil this powerful answer: "I am baptized! The Lord Jesus sought me
out to be His own, and conferred His forgiveness upon me by washing
me clean with the power of His Word in the water."
The Lord wants you to know that the salvation that He purchased for
ALL is the salvation that He wants to give to YOU, personally and
individually. He has pressed this treasure into your hand, giving you
this promise of His grace when your sins were washed away.
In a world that seems to be getting more and more impersonal, what a
comfort it is to remember this personalized outpouring of God's
love!
--Pastor Bruce Naumann
(A planned article on the Sacrament of the Altar will appear in a
future issue. - Ed.)
(This is a portion of a longer free-verse sermon on Romans 8:18-25
delivered by Pastor Michael Wilke to his congregation, Good Shepherd
of Rapid City, SD. A member of Good Shepherd submitted it to the
Lutheran Spokesman. "Groans To Glory" was the overall theme of this
unique and inspiring presentation of the Gospel.)
"OUR PRESENT SUFFERINGS ARE NOT WORTH COMPARING
WITH THE GLORY THAT WILL BE REVEALED IN US."
Be they small or tall
Our problems are not worth
the worry,
the scurry,
the flurry.
Relax! Be still!
You've been forgiven!
You have Heaven!
Count your blessings . . .
Learn to live patiently,
To trust the LORD unwaveringly,
To confide in Him unceasingly,
To depend upon Him absolutely.
And when you start to complain,
Stop! Refrain!
For there will come a day . . .
When the symphony of sin's pain,
Will never be heard again!
The desperate cries of dear ones on a sickbed.
The hungry sobs of children who haven't been fed.
The ugly shrieks of the war time wounded.
The silent scream of the unborn aborted.
Not a whisper of this,
Or any distress,
Will ever again cross our lips in the coming Restoration!
Unfortunately, for those, who in degradation, reject God's Son,
There shall always be the sound of weeping.
But for the children of God? -- heaping plates of grace!
Paradise lost will be Paradise regained!
Celebration! Rejuvenation!
Let the sound of praise be heard
in your hearts,
and in your homes!
Praise God for glory beyond imagination!
Praise God for new heavens and a new earth!
For our resurrection,
That wonderful new birth!
Praise God for the blood that set us free
So that we may live with Him throughout eternity!
Praise Him for His Son's life and death -- our great story!
Praise God for taking us from GROANS TO GLORY!
"Praise God from who all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures, here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"
AMEN!!!
LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT
"That We Might Have Hope" (Rom. 15:4)
Genesis Chapters Twenty-nine To Thirty-two
Working For A Living
Labor Dispute! Unfair Practices by Employer Causes Disgruntled
Employees to Walk Out. Higher Wages Demanded!
Headlines such as these can be found nearly daily in our newspapers,
and they aren't only talking about the ballplayers.
Does management in our day and age have a legitimate complaint that
unskilled workers must be hired and too often workers are lazy? What
about the employed? What can be done about grievances? What if the
employer really is mistreating or mishandling the employees? And our
most important question -- how do all of these arguments wash with God
as arbitrator?
In our continuing series on the book of Genesis, let us consider the
example of Jacob and Laban in Haran.
A Necessary Part Of Life
Work is a necessary part of life -- not just to keep our hands from
being idle and thus keeping us out of trouble, for it is also good for
the spirit. Sinful man's concept of paradise is often seen as an
individual lying in a hammock on some deserted isle with a drink in
hand and no worries in the heart. Contrast this with our holy God's
concept of Paradise: "Then the LORD God took the man and put him in
the garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (Gen. 2:15). It is also clear
that, after the fall into sin, God intended man to work when He said:
"Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all
the days of your life. . ." (3:17). We know our God gives only what is
good for us, body and soul, and so it is with work.
Jacob needed a job. We have seen in our earlier lessons how he had to
flee for his life to Haran. He brought nothing save a staff in his
hand, his talents and abilities, and trust in his God.
Did Jacob really deserve any job opportunities or preferential
treatment from God or the natives of Haran? Here is a man who had
deceived his father and brother in a most despicable manner, and now
he staggers in from the wilderness with virtually nothing to his
credit.
What about us? How often hasn't the sentiment "I deserve better than
this!" crossed our minds when considering our station in life? What
opportunities do we really deserve? We too have despitefully abused
our heavenly Father and our Brother Jesus Christ. While dead in our
trespasses and sins we wanted nothing at all to do with our Lord and
His will. We fled into the wilderness of sin with nothing save our
guilt to our credit.
Yet Christ sought us out! Jacob's ladder still descends to us. Christ
breached the gap between us sinners and our Father by His holy
sacrifice on the cross. We surely deserved nothing but punishment from
our God, but -- glory be! -- He is a God of mercy! He not only showers
us with heavenly and spiritual blessings, but with materials,
abilities, and talents for our use in this world as well!
The job opportunities we've had in the past -- have we viewed them as
gifts of God or necessary evils? Let us look at each job opportunity
as a chance to give our God-given talents and abilities the work-out
they deserve. This will also prove to be a rich witness to others as
to how mightily the Lord blesses His own.
The Deceiver Deceived
By the grace of God Jacob did get a job opportunity with his uncle
Laban. After a full month of free labor, Laban finally asked Jacob to
name his wage. Jacob chose Rachel, Laban's daughter, as his wage and
also named the terms -- seven years of labor. Laban agreed.
We can only imagine the shock when Jacob discovered he had married the
elder sister Leah rather than his beloved Rachel. The deceiver had
been deceived! Perhaps a guilty conscience helped Jacob humbly accept
Laban's clause -- work another seven years and Rachel can be your wife
as well. Little did Jacob realize that this was only the beginning of
Laban's deceit.
After fourteen years of labor for his uncle, Jacob decided it was time
to labor for himself. The Lord had blessed him with eleven sons and a
daughter by this time, and no doubt Jacob was anxious to start his own
flocks for their sustenance.
Now Laban was worried. He knew that the only reason his own flocks had
done so well was due to the Lord's blessings through the labor of his
nephew. And now the gravy train seemed to be at an end. Laban pleaded
with Jacob to stay and name his wage once again.
Jacob named a very modest wage indeed. He would take only the speckled
and spotted animals of Laban's flocks. Since the sheep and goats of
the area almost always bore solid-colored young, Laban had a bargain
on his hands. But it wasn't good enough for Laban. The very day of the
agreement Laban had all of the speckled and spotted animals removed
from his flocks and hidden three days journey distant.
Life Isn't Fair -- God Knows
How could Jacob stand it? How do we take it? "Life isn't fair" is an
often used sentiment, but it does little to salve our hurt when we
feel we've been wronged by an employer. Should we think of ways to get
even? Couldn't we cheat just a little on the time card or slip a few
"won't be missed" items into our briefcase so we can feel like we've
come out on top for once?
Jacob didn't, because he believed what the Lord reminded him in a
dream: ". . . I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you" (Gen.
31:12). Life isn't fair and God knows it. He had seen the mistreatment
of his servant Jacob, and how Laban had changed his wages ten times.
But the Lord knows how to reward and how to chastise. In the case of
Jacob and Laban, it happened that all of the strong animals of Laban's
flocks produced speckled and spotted young. In this way Jacob acquired
large flocks of his own.
How had Jacob viewed his working for Laban? He did not work as a
man-pleaser, but as for the Lord. He had borne Laban's losses and
deceit. He could bear up under his mistreatment for the same reason we
will bear up under our own. Jacob said to Laban: "Unless the God of my
father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me,
surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my
affliction and the labor of my hands ..." (Gen. 31:42).
When work-related problems arise, and we know they will, we must keep
in mind the One we're really working for. Remember that our wages,
both temporal and eternal, are from our Lord. Then we can truly
appreciate Jacob's assessment of his own labor: "Then Jacob said, 'O
God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, . . . I am not
worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which you
have shown Your servant. . . '" (Gen. 32:9f).
May the Lord bless our working for a living.
--Teacher David Bernthal
Little House On The Move
First Time
In summer any number of houses across the country experience a change
of color. In more ambitious circles a few houses might even undergo a
change in design. In rarer situations a house might be given a change
of name. And in still more unusual circumstances a house will see a
change in location. Such was the new lot in the on-going history of
the historical Sem House. Since it was situated on the site chosen for
the new Dining Commons, the preservation of the building required its
relocation. And that move was something to see! For Immanuel's campus,
the event was a first.
First Class
Those who have had opportunity to become familiar with the buildings
belonging to the original Ingram Estate know that the lumber baron
surrounded himself with a first class setting. The elegance of the New
England-style mansion and its attending sturctures was unsurpassed in
the Eau Claire area. And the desire to retain this part of the
original estate helped prompt the effort to preserve the building.
Of more recent significance, of course, is the fact that Ingram's
"little barn" provided a place for the Seminary faculty and students
to hold their first class on the new Wisconsin campus. Though it was,
undoubtedly, less cozy and warm than the "boiler room" of Immanuel
Church in Mankato (where ILC's initial seminary classes were held),
the Sem House did serve well as the training ground for three decades
of CLC pastors.
First Aid
As remarkable as the process of house moving is, it is not without its
drawbacks. It proved to be inevitable that this structure in the "Cape
Cod" style would be bruised in the process of the transport (steel
beams through the walls, etc.). And the elements of the weather have
not been any more kind over the years. As a result, a good deal of
repair is now needed, both inside and out, in order for the building
to become the historical house it is envisioned to become.
--John Reim, Reporter
From The Editor's Desk--
Seasoned Veterans Of The Cross
The idea evolved quite by accident. Some time ago in a Spokesman
article on our CLC outreach efforts in Albuquerque, New Mexico
mention was made that the Rev. Norbert Reim, a retired pastor
residing in Phoenix, made monthly visits to that city by chartered
plane to serve the little flock of worshipers. A reader, in turn,
suggested something along these lines: "Many of our retired pastors
are still actively serving in the ministry, preaching and teaching
as they are given opportunity. Why not expand on the subject?"
The suggestion led us to distribute a questionaire to a dozen or so
of our retired pastors and professors. We invited each of them to
recount for us the various sites of their stints of service to the
church -- both during their active years in the public ministry and
during their "retirement" years. We asked them to pass along to us,
if they would, reflections on changes they have witnessed and
experienced during their years of ministry. Finally, we sought
from them words of counsel and advice they would like to give to
new pastors today.
For almost a year now we have put off -- largely due to space
considerations -- sharing with you the kind responses we received from
these seasoned veterans of the Cross. More than that. Not only were
the responses and reflections kind. They were insightful as one would
expect from undershepherds of Christ's flock who have "borne the
burden and heat of the day" during many years of faithful service
to the church.
We would be remiss if, while mentioning pastor and professor emeriti,
we overlooked the wives. What a blessing is a spouse -- seasoned
veterans of the cross in their own right -- who over the years have
stood faithfully at the side of one of the Lord's public servants.
The decision has been made to feature these CLC "Retirees," and some
of their chosen reflections, in connection with the next couple issues
of the Spokesman. Their good counsel and advice to new pastors we
plan to include -- together with biographical introductions to last
spring's seminary graduates -- in a future issue.
The Post-Retirement Years -- What Preaching!
One thing is clear. Our retired pastors and professors do not use
their retirement years to flee the Lord's work. One who has had the
privilege of serving publicly in "the highest calling on earth" for
so many years does not find it easy to refuse an invitation to keep
on telling "the world" about the best news that it can ever hear --
God's love for sinners shown in the person and work of His Son.
Each of the men who returned our survey listed a number of
locations at which they have, or are still, serving as "supply
pastors" upon request.
If you are fortunate to belong to one of our congregations within
reasonable traveling distance of one of CLC retirees, you have no
doubt benefited from hearing the Gospel message proclaimed by one
of them. I so benefited when I pastored in Washington state a few
years back. Our Lenten pulpit exchanges, for example, would include
wonderfully comforting and solidly biblical sermons preached by now
sainted pastors Maynard Witt, Robert Reim, and Ralph Schaller.
And what preaching it was, dear friends, as a retired, and often
tired, pastor spoke -- with childlike boldness and simplicity --
of the wonderful works of God?! As Elijah passed the mantle to
Elisha, so our veterans of the Cross. As they prepare to pass
the mantle along to a younger generation of pastors, they bring
Spirit-filled Gospel messages "straight from the heart."
When you have the opportunity, may you enjoy the privilege of hearing
the glories of Christ's Gospel as that message is proclaimed by one
of our retired pastors.
"Laymen Of Distinction" --
A Truly Anonymous Army
When it was suggested that the Spokesman might feature our retired
pastors and their long-time faithful work in behalf of the Lord and
His Church, a couple of those pastors sought to broaden our focus.
"Aren't we a little heavy on attention to the clergy?" one asked.
"We have had, as well, many laymen of distinction over the years."
A truly blessed fact! So true, in fact, that our first thoughts were
along the lines of where would we begin, and where would we end, in
mentioning those lay-people who have "distinguished themselves" in the
work of the CLC since its founding.
The quotation marks in the last sentence are significant. The parable
of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20) makes clear that everything
as far as the workers are concerned -- from their "hiring" to their
final "reward" -- has grace as its distinguishing characteristic. Any
"credit" goes to the Holy Spirit of God. Every faithful laborer in the
vineyard of the Master, whether clergy or laity, knows that.
We saw an editorial in another Christian periodical not too long ago
entitled "The Army of the Anonymous" The writer called attention to
the fact that the church, for the most part, is nourished by
"nameless, unknown figures" and "unheralded servants" who stay at
the work, day after day, in ordinary congregations. And, said the
writer, these men do so faithfully, and without prodding, for the
simple joy of knowing they are serving their Lord. You might guess
that the reference was to "ordinary" pastors.
We would broaden the focus. When, in the parable of the talents
(Matthew 25), the lord said "Well done, good and faithful servant;
you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many
things. Enter into the joy of your lord" we see nothing that limits
the complimentary word to faithful clergymen!
Faithful Lay-members
Listen to just a couple of testimonies to the anonymous army of
faithful laymembers in our midst:
A retired CLC pastor wrote: "In the past it was always taken for
granted that the chairmanship of each synodical board would be held by
one of the clergy members on that Board. Now we are finding that a lay
member may be the best qualified for that position, and that we do
have laymembers who are willing to put in the endless numbers of
volunteer hours that such an office requires."
A few months ago the president of the CLC, in commenting on the
time-consuming work of synodical board members -- which boards
indeed include laymen as well as clergy -- wrote as follows: "Not
a single man receives salary for what he does on a board. They are all
otherwise employed. They take time, sometimes vacation, from their
gainful employment to do the work of the CLC. They do take time that
they might otherwise spend with family. I personally do not hear a
word of complaint. I believe all elected to serve do so gladly. But
the fact is they do not have to do for the CLC what they do, except
the love of Christ, and their election by the brethren, compels
them. . . ."
Included among unheralded servants of the church are not only those
who have been elected to synodical boards. How about those who have
for years served faithfully in church council positions in our local
congregations? Not long ago we heard of a layman who has served for 50
years as treasurer of one of our congregations! We know there have
been laywomen as well as laymen who have served for decades as
organists and Bible School or Sunday School teachers. And shall we yet
mention the men and women who have chosen the lackluster career as
teachers in our Christian day schools? (We are introducing some of
them to our readers in the new feature "In Our CLC Classrooms.") Nor
is this all. How about countless "ordinary" members who have served as
pillars of our churches over the years? And we have previously
referred to the wives of our pastors and professors....
Yes, where would we begin and where would we stop in adding names to
our list?
To one and all in the vast anonymous army of faithful servants of the
Lord in classroom or board room, in home and workplace, in pulpit or
pew, we say: "Well done, good and faithful servants. . . ."
-- Pastor Paul Fleischer
Lay-Leadership--
A Few Outstanding Examples
(In answer to our request for reflections and comments on the church
scene, Pastor Norbert Reim, an active retiree currently living in
Phoenix, passed along what he termed "a few outstanding examples" in
his experience -- examples of "the stature, education, skills,
dedication, and leadership provided by our lay people." We, in
turn, are happy to pass these along to our readers. -- Ed.
* After completing construction on the parsonage at Lynnwood (Seattle),
Washington, mostly with volunteer labor, and having excavated for the
A-frame church building, I looked out of the parsonage window one
morning to see someone I did not recognize as any of our usual
volunteers preparing some of the main beams for erection. Hurrying out before
any damage could be done, I found it was a member of Gethsemane in
Spokane, who had been the main figure in the volunteer group building
the church there. A licensed plumber and electrician, he was also a
master craftsman with wood. Though he never admitted this to me, I am
convinced that he moved from Spokane with his family (including
several sons also highly skilled in the building trades) just because
he felt their services would be needed now in Lynnwood. Finally we
paid him a fraction of what he could have earned in his own business
to work full time on our project for over a year, while also providing
direction to the volunteers.
* A member of the Resurrection congregation in Corpus Christi, Texas
who had a library of theological books that many of our pastors might
be glad to trade for their own. And the underlinings and marginal
comments proved that they were diligently used!
* A young layman from another Lutheran synod moved to Phoenix and
started to attend our services. After a time he asked about becoming a
communicant member. When told that we could either spend a few
evenings discussing the differences between the two church bodies or
he could take the complete adult information class, he instantly
opted for the latter. When that was finished he wanted to know what
came next. Since he and his family were already attending all
services, Bible Classes, and other activities, I was at a loss to know
what to suggest. So he asked if he and his wife could be tutored in
New Testament Greek. His wife had to drop out of that when the
children started coming, but he finished the course. More recently he
published a book on his computer with the title: Rediscovering the
Trinity in the Bible, which would be an eye--opening blessing to
anyone under the spell of the Jehovah's Witnesses or other sects
denying the divinity of Christ. By comparing Old and New Testament
passages he proves that the name "Jehovah" in the Bible is used to
refer not only to God the Father, but also to Jesus Christ, His Son,
and to the Holy Spirit as well.
Just One Of Our CLC "Households Of Faith"--
The Radichel Family Reunion
Across the CLC we are privileged to have a number of large families
who for a long time have anchored our CLC congregations and church
body. Their blessed tentacles extend far and deep, going back to the
very establishment of our churches and synod, reaching forward to the
next generation of faithful that will fill our CLC pews. They were,
they are, they will be, all and always, the products of the
Spirit-inspired efforts of dedicated Christian parenting and mission
efforts. Truly the Psalmist's call and prophecy is daily being
fulfilled among us: "One generation shall praise Your works to another
and shall declare Your mighty acts" (Ps. 145:4).
While in Norway one of our pastors encountered a rather intriguing
comment on the wall of a church. In reference to casualties in war
this was said: "No one mentioned, no one forgotten." A built-in risk
is found in name listing (as many have discovered in church
bulletins), and that risk is omission. It would be well-nigh unto
impossible to list or picture all of our extended CLC families who
have played integral roles in our churches, nor would any want their
names heralded. Yet, from time to time, as we hear of or see our
extended families gather together, may we join in thanksgiving for --
and draw faith-encouragement from -- these "households of faith."
To God alone be all glory!
--Pastor David Schierenbeck
(Editor's note: The occasion for the family reunion held in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, on June 24,1995, was the 60th wedding anniversary of Gilbert
and Valborg Radichel.) Gilbert, the patriarch of the Radichel family,
was ushered into the joy of his Lord soon after this picture was taken
(died July 30 at the age of 85 years). The funeral was at Messiah,
Eau Claire, with Pastor Paul Tiefel officiating.
Meet Pastor Gregory Jackson--
Two Faith Churches Welcome New Pastor
Faith Lutheran Church of Nicollet, Minn. and Faith Lutheran Church of
New Ulm, Minn welcomed their new pastor, Dr. Gregory L. Jackson, in an
installation service held in the New Ulm church on Sunday, July 30,
1995. Pastor Jackson succeeds Keith Olmanson who recently retired from
the ministry and from his position as shepherd of the two flocks.
Pastor Stephen Kurtzahn, Visitor of the CLC's Minnesota District,
conducted the installation service. Basing his remarks on 1 Corinthians
1:22-24, Pastor Kurtzahn's sermon message to the new pastor, the
members of his two congregations, and many visitors was "Preach Christ
Crucified!"
Pastor and Mrs. (Christina) Jackson come to the CLC via a winding and
difficult journey in both their personal and religious life. Their
25 year marriage has been blessed with three children. A son, Martin
(wife Tammy), attends Bethany Lutheran Seminary. The Jacksons lost
their two daughters, Bethany (age 6 1/2) and Erin (age 7 1/2), to a
neurological degeneration disorder. While there is an enduring pain
from such premature loss, it becomes obvious when visiting with Pastor
and Mrs. Jackson that their faith in a loving and merciful God in
Christ Jesus has been their and their children's staff and stay all
along the way. (The parents have written a book Angel Joy
describing Bethany and Erin.)
Mrs. Jackson suffers from a physical disability of her own. In this
regard, Pastor Jackson noted: "The parsonage in New Ulm is perfect
for Chris, so she can stay on one floor. In the addition, the members
have improved the home in numerous ways to help her out. Her health
insurance situation will improve dramatically, and she will be able
to use the Mayo Clinic."
The path by which the Lord has led Pastor Jackson into the CLC
ministry also reveals some real struggles of faith. Both Pastor and
Mrs. Jackson earned degrees from Augustana College, Rock Island,
Illinois in 1969. In 1972 Jackson graduated from Waterloo Lutheran
Seminary. He later studied and/or earned degrees from the Gestalt
Institute, Yale, Notre Dame (Ph. D.), Concordia Theological Seminary,
and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Before joining the CLC ministerium
through colloquy, Pastor Jackson had served congregations in the
former Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in Ohio and Michigan, and
subsequently joined the Wisconsin Synod (WELS) through colloquy.
When asked for some personal comments about the journey that has led
him to the CLC, Pastor Jackson remarked: "We enjoy being part of the
CLC. The pastors have been great to us, and the members of both
congregations have been very considerate." As one who can speak from
widespread personal experience while seeking an orthodox confessional
fellowship, Jackson added: "The best part about being in the CLC is
the constant quest to study the doctrines of the Bible and apply them
properly. The result of this is a closeness and unity which is only a
memory in most of Lutheranism."
Largely as a result of his studies and his determined search to find a
synodical fellowship which is true to confessional Lutheranism, Pastor
Jackson has written a couple of theological books we have personally
seen and read -- and highly recommend -- these books. They are:
Liberalism: Its Cause and Cure (1991) and Catholic, Lutheran,
Protestant (1993). Both books are helpful especially to those who
are searching for resource material which is apologetic to -- in defense
of -- genuine Reformation Lutheranism.
When you are passing through New Ulm, we are sure Pastor and Mrs.
Jackson would be happy to have you stop in for a visit and to share with
you their many experiences along faith's often difficult and winding,
but ultimately triumphant path.
We rejoice that the Lord of the Church has them into our Christian
fellowship. We pray that the Lord would richly bless them and the two
Faith congregations.
-- Pastor Paul Fleischer
In Our CLC Classrooms --
Meet: Deborah Johannes
Miss Deborah Johannes is teaching at Luther Memorial School in Fond du
Lac, Wisconsin. She attended Immanuel Lutheran High School in Eau
Claire, Wisc. and graduated from the teaching program at ILC in 1992.
The following school year she began teaching in Fond du Lac. A former
teacher, Sara Nolting (Miss Fiegel), influenced her the most in
choosing teaching as a career.
Deborah's favorite subject to teach is math. Outside the classroom her
interests include volleyball and snowmobiling. Deborah is the daughter
of Pastor and Mrs. John Johannes Sr., also of Fond du Lac.
St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church
Dallas, Texas
St. Matthew of North Dallas is one of ten mission congregations of the
CLC. God blessed our 1995 Vacation Bible School (June 5-9) with an
enrollment of twelve students, two of whom were visitors. He also
provided a capable and dedicated staff. Dorothy Abbott and Debbie
Schulz-Peters taught the Bible lessons. Sharla Burkhardt, Janet
Krafft, and Vickie Wolff helped out with crafts and refreshments.
Eileen Stangeland was the music teacher. Pastor Schuetze conducted the
devotions. One special project of the students was to write a letter
to the children living in the orphanage in India. Our Sunday School is
sponsoring one of the children.
In the days leading up to our VBS a number of St. Matthew members
walked door-to-door (some of them in 95 degree temps!) and distributed
950 flyers in neighborhoods near our church. Though our canvassing
efforts did not meet with outward success (we did not get even one
response), we are grateful for the opportunity to communicate the Good
News of the Savior with others through the Gospel invitation contained
in the flyer. We remember Jesus' words: "The kingdom of God does not
come with observation" and we trust His promise that wherever the
"still, small voice" of the Gospel is heard, God will use it to work
saving faith in the hearts of many.
We are trying to keep as "visible" as we can in our community (also
through advertisements in the local newspaper). We pray that the Good
Shepherd will lead the lost sheep to us that we might share with them
the message of His forgiving love.
--Pastor Thomas Schuetze
West Central Pastoral Conference
Dates: Sept. 19-21, 1995 beginning at 10 a.m. (MDT) on Tuesday through
noon on Thursday.
Place: Redeember Ev. Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, WY
Agenda:
1) Old Testament Exegesis: Psalm 128 - Jay Hartmann
2) New Testament Exegesis: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 -- Walter Schaller
3) Extremely Inactive Members: Should They Be Excommunicated or Is
Termination of Membership Appropriate? -- Norman Greve
4) What Is A Church member? -- A Survey of Practices and Principles
concerning How We Determine Membership Status in the Congregation --
Michael Wilke
5) The Abrogation of the Mosaic Law -- Paul Krause
6) Towards a Better Delivery of the Sermon -- Paul Larsen
7) A Comprehensive Study on the Use of the Word "Grace" in the New
Testament -- Steven Sippert
8) Review and Discussion: Walther's Law and Gospel -- Michael
Sprengeler
9) Book Reviews: a) Homosexuality -- A New Christian Ethic by
Elizabeth Moberly -- Joel Fleischer; b) Getting into the Book of
Concord by Robert Preus -- David Fuerstenau
Conference Chaplain: James Shrader
Conference Speaker: Walter Schaller
--Steven Sippert, Secretary
CLC South-Eastern Pastoral Conference
West Columbia, SD September 26-28
Agenda:
* New Testament Exegesis, 2 Thess. 2:1ff -- Mark Gullerud
* Old Testament Exegesis, Exegete's choir -- John Klatt
* Baptizing Non-Members who do not Intend to Become (Remain) Members
* When is it Proper or Improper to Resign a Call -- John
Schierenbeck
* The Necessity For Humility in the Ministry -- Terrel Kesterson
* The Methods and Importance of Member Visitation and Sick Calls --
Michael Roehl
* The Significance of the Title "the Son of Man" -- Karl Stewart
Conference Chaplain -- Andrew Schaller
Conference Speaker -- Thomas Schuetze
-- Michael Roehl, Secretary
Great Lakes Pastoral Conference
Immanuel Lutheran College
Eau Claire, Wisc.
Dates: October 10-11, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Essays:
1) OT Exegesis, Ecclesiastes 8:10-17 -- Prof. Paul D. Nolting
2) NT Exegesis, 1 Corinthians 8:16ff -- Prof. John Reim
3) Further Discussion of the "Application of the Principle to
Troublesome Cases" -- Mark Bernthal
4) The Importance of Excommunication in the Spiritual Life of the
Church -- Arthur Schulz
5) How does One Determine the Essence of an Organization (with special
applicatioin to the American Legion)? -- Michael Sydow6) The Pro's and
Con's of Term Limits for Congregational and Synodical Offices -- Prof.
John Lau
7) The Usage of "Gospel" in the New Testament -- Prof. David Lau
8) Conference Speaker -- Leroy Dux
9) Conference Chaplain -- David Reim
--David Reim, Secretary
Caledonia, Minnesota
Redeemer Lutheran Church of Caledonia, Minnesota has disbanded.
Members have continued their membership in other congregations of the
CLC in the area.
--------
Rev. Dan Avery of Caledonia, Minnesota has declared himself out of
fellowship with the Church of the Lutheran Confession and is no longer
eligible for call in the CLC.
-- Daniel Fleischer, President
Installations
As authorized by President Daniel Fleischer, I installed Wayne
Eichstadt as Missionary-At-Large/Pastor of the CLC Preaching Station
in Orange Park (Jacksonville), Florida on July 2, 1995.
--Pastor Michael Roehl
As authorized by President Daniel Fleischer, In installed John
Schierenbeck as Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Winter Haven,
Florida on July 9, 1995.
--Pastor Michael Roehl
As authorized by President Daniel Fleischer, I installed Dr. Gregory
Jackson on July 30, 1995 as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, New Ulm,
Minn. and Faith Lutheran Church, Nicollet, Minn.
--Rev. Stephen C. F. Kurtzahn
By the authority of the congregations and with the knowledge and
consent of President Fleischer, I installed Rev. Dwight Franklin Gantt
as pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in White River and Peace
Lutheran Church in Mission, So. Dak. The installation service took
place at Peace Lutheran Church on July 16.
--Rev. Steven Sippert
With the knowledge and approval of President Fleischer I installed
Miss Sara Pfeiffer as founding teacher of St. Stephen Lutheran School
on July 9, 1995. Assisting were Prof. Clifford Kuehne, Prof. John
Pfeiffer, and Pastor Rollin Reim.
--Pastor Bruce Naumann
As authorized by President Fleischer, I installed Pastor Warren
Fanning as the pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, West Columbia,
South Carolina, on July 30, 1995.
--Pastor Terrel Kesterson
Coordinating Council
The Coordinating Council will meet at Immanuel Lutheran College
October 18, 19, 1995. Sessions on October 18 begin after chapel at
10:30 a.m.
--Daniel Fleischer, President
Minnesota Delegate Conference
September 24th, 3:00 p.m.
Salem, Eagle Lake
Agenda:
* Does The Name "Lutheran" Still Convey Our Confession To The World?
-- Pastor Gregory Jackson
* Contrmporary Christian Music -- Good Or Bad? -- Teacher Lane Fischer
Please announce or excuse to the host pastor, Rick Grams.
--Submitted by Visitor, Pastor Stephen Kurtzahn
Change Of Address
Rev. John H. Johannes
821 Security Drive, Apt. AA-104
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Pastor Paul Naumann
712 DuPont Ave.
P.O. Box 239
DuPont, WA 98327
Phone (206) 964-7849